Well Weathered

The forces of nature have no ego to bruise whereas humans bruise quite easily. There are plenty of examples where humans have been unsuspectingly caught in a precarious situation, with backs to the proverbial wall, only to draw on some primordial, inner mental and physical strength in order to survive. They emerge with their lives in tact and some are grateful. There are an equal (or greater) number of stories of adventurers who were not so lucky. Bask in your small triumph over mother earth and father sky while you can but do not allow your haughtiness to distract you from the reality of things. The elements are persistent, patient and unforgiving. Be careful about when and where you venture and take every precaution necessary even if, at first, it seems superfluous. Wild animals are more in tune to nature and surely have the advantage. Ocean currents are deceiving and do not discriminate. Temperatures change quickly and fatigue, disorientation, hypothermia and dehydration may arrive sooner than you think. There are countless books and manuals that can help you prepare for wilderness travel and survival in emergency situations on land, sea and air. Properly prepare your travel gear prior to setting out. Investigate and practice survival techniques beforehand, as things are not always as easy as the diagram in the book depicts; particularly in adverse conditions. If lost in the outdoors, don’t panic. Even the tiniest bit of survival information picked up somewhere along the line may help you at some point in your travels, making all the difference in your world. Understand that humans are just small pieces in a grand scheme, playing only an ephemeral part.